Improved pneumatic tube for transporting- goods



A. BRISBANE. PNEUMATIC RAILWAY.

N0.91,513. PatentedJuneZZ, 1869.

way. 2.

patent c am.

ALBERT BRISBANE,

OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

Letters Patent No. 91,513, dated June 22, 1869; antednfed J zme 11, 1869.

IMPROVED PNEUMATIC TUBE FOR :I'RANSPORIING GOODS.

The Schedule referred to inthese Letters Patent and making part 5f the same,

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ALBERT BRISBANE, of New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented a new and improved Method of Conveyance in Pneumatic Tubes; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable those skilled in the art-to understand and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, of which- Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a rectangular pneumatic tube or box, containing a hollow cylinder, running on rails, for the transportation of mails and merchandise.

Figure 2 represents a perspective view of a round pneumatic tube, containing a hollow sphere or ball, for the same purpose.

Similar letters indicate the same parts.

This in vention relates to a new and improved method of conveyance, by means of hollow spheres or cylinders, without axles, rolling upon a hard, even surface,

or upon rails, within a pneumatic tube, the propellingforce being applied to their perimeters, and not to their axes, as in the common method ot'conveyance, by means of carriages, or trucks on wheels, or of cylindrical cur-bodies, provided with axles, to which the propelling-force is applied.

This improvement introduces a. new principle of propulsion and transportation, the applicationpf which is attended with highly-important results and advantages.

When, as in the ordinary method of conveyance, the propelling-force is applied directly to the axle, motion is resisted by two kinds of friction, viz, rollingfriction and axle-friction; but in my improved method there is merely rolling-diction and no axle-friction, as

the hollow spheres and cylinders turn only on imagi-.

nary axes.

N ow, as is well known, rolling-friction is very slight, while axle-friction is vry great, and the propellingpower required in one case is enormous, compared to what it is in the other.

Hence, by my improved method of conveyance, in which the propelling-force is applied to the perimeter of hollow spheres or cylinders, without axles, and axlefriction is avoided, there is an immense economy of motive-power for propulsion and transportation.

The hollow spheres and cylinders thus propelled in a pneumatic tube, where only they can be employed, will not only require a comparatively small amount of power for their propulsion, but they will move with great velocity, certainty, and safety.

This improved method of conveyance is especially adapted to the transportation of the mails and small parcels, grain in bulk, cofi'ee, tea, sugars, whiskey, oils,

and other fluids and goods which may be compactly and evenly stowed The hollow spheres and cylinders will be constructed in sections, or be provided, in any suitable manner, with tightly-closing apertures for receiving and discharging their contents.

In the drawings- A represents a round pneumatic tube, containing one or more hollow spheres, a, and

B represents a rectangular pneumatic tube, containing one or more hollow cylinders, b.

The hollow spheres or cylinders may be formed of wood or metal, to fit loosely in the tube, so that they can roll easily therein, with the space at their sides as narrow as possible, to prevent leakage of air.

The best material of construction will probably be cast-iron or steel shells, made in sections.

The tubes may also be made of metal or wood.

They will be laid as nearly level as practicable, but, like railroads, may be made with curves and grades.

The foundation of the tube should be solid, even, and firm, but thesupcrstructure may be light and cheap, and need be strong enough only to support the external or internal atmospheric pressure.

The simplest and cheapest structure will probably be a framing of timbers, lined on the inner side with boards running longitudinally.

The bottom of a round tube should be laid with smooth sheet or plate-iron or steel. on which the hollow spheres will roll easily.

The bottom of the rectangular box or tube is to be provided with atrack of iron or steel rails, c 0, upon which the cylinder shall roll.iu annular grooves (Z d, or on flanges around its periphery, corresponding to the rails, whereby it shall be kept in place within the tube. The pneumatic tube will be worked with relays and way-stations for long distances, in the ordinary mau nor of operating the pneumatic dispatch, by means of apparatus for producing a partial vacuum, or an increased atmospheric pressure.

One or more hollow spheres or cylinders may be propelled at the same time. The mails or merchandise will be enclosed in them firmly by proper packing.

Having described my invention,

What I claim. and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination of hollow spheres and cylinders with pneumatic tubes, arranged and operating substantially as and for the purpose herein described.

' A. BRISBANE.

Witnesses 0. MAODANIEL, Lo. WATSON. 

